IIOT Gateway Commissioning via Bootstrapping Token
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for provisioning and commissioning Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) gateways are inefficient and insecure, particularly in remote locations where field technicians may lack full connectivity, leading to increased operational costs and difficulties in integrating devices into the IIOT ecosystem.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a bootstrapping server and backend system to generate and manage unique commissioning tokens for IIOT gateways, enabling secure identification and verification, and automatic device discovery, which facilitates secure communication and configuration of the gateways with edge assets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If field technicians perform manual installation and commissioning of IIOT gateways in remote locations, then device integration into the IIOT ecosystem can be achieved, but operational costs increase and installation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service commissioning where the IIOT gateway automatically contacts the bootstrapping system using credentials embedded during manufacturing. The gateway autonomously completes identification, verification, and configuration without requiring field technician intervention, thereby eliminating travel costs and improving installation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Security credentials and device information are pre-configured into the gateway during the manufacturing process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual configuration during installation, allowing the gateway to autonomously communicate with the bootstrapping system and complete commissioning without technician assistance.
2Reliability
If secure commissioning methods are implemented for IIOT gateways, then integration security is improved, but commissioning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bootstrapping system serves as an intermediary between the IIOT gateway and the backend system. It handles the complex tasks of receiving device information, generating unique identification tokens, verifying credentials, and establishing secure communication channels. This mediator approach maintains high security while keeping the gateway's commissioning process simple and automated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the gateway sends its embedded credentials to the bootstrapping system, which verifies them and returns a unique identification token. This automated feedback loop ensures secure verification without requiring complex manual configuration or technician expertise.
3Ease of operation
If manual configuration and troubleshooting are performed by technicians, then device issues can be resolved, but time consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated commissioning system enables the gateway to self-configure and self-troubleshoot by autonomously communicating with the bootstrapping system. The system automatically handles device identification, credential verification, and configuration, eliminating the need for technician intervention and significantly reducing time consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of commissioning and provisioning an Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) gateway that includes sending gateway information to a bootstrapping system and generating a commissioning token using the bootstrapping system. The method also includes storing the commissioning token in the bootstrapping system and associating it with a backend system. The method further includes inputting the commissioning token into the IIOT gateway and communicating the IIOT gateway to the bootstrapping system.